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A KING'S PARADISE
J Nez
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Interview with independent recording artist J Nez of Cayman Islands
YOUNG MONEY'S SHANELL
SAFAREE
BY TI'JUANA "MAMARAZZI" HARDWELL
YOUNG DRO
Jasen “J Nez” Campbell is ready to break into the U.S. music scene. The Cayman Islands artist has collaborated with Young Dro, Jason Caesar and rapper-reality tv star Safaree Samuels of Love & Hip Hop. He hopes to attract new fans to “A King’s Paradise.” The EP infuses reggae, R&B and hip hop sounds. The islander who was raised by Jamaican parents creates music that represents many influences. “I’m like a gumbo, mixing different styles of music,” says J Nez. “In Cayman we don’t focus on putting ourselves in any one genre-we just make the music we love.” “I don’t want to put myself in a box,” J Nez adds. At age 7 J Nez played drums for his church. But it didn’t stop him from exploring other music. He would sneak to watch BET although his parents J NEZ I 3
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As a man I’m a kingall men are kings-and women are queensJ Nez about the inspiration for "A King's Paradise"
didn’t approve of the images on the television screen or the messages in the music. “I remember sneaking to watch 106 & Park and Rap City with Big Tigger,” recalls J Nez. He was a huge Cash Money fan and still has all of their CDs today. J Nez says CM influenced him to pursue music. Artist Shanell, who is signed to Lil Wayne’s Young Money record label, appears on a track titled “Uh Huh” on the “A King’s Paradise” EP project. J Nez is committed to making music that has an impact and celebrates his background. Collaborating with Safaree made sense to him as both are from the West Indies. But Safaree’s TV persona also captivated J Nez. He knew Safaree would add something great to his braggadocious single titled, “Man a Balla (Baller Alert).” He reached out to Safaree and he accepted the invitation to appear on the track. Safaree also visited the islands, hung out with J Nez and filmed a video for their song. J NEZ I 4
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J Nez created "Baller Alert" and asked Safaree Samuels to hop on the track. Being a flashy artist himself, he felt that Safaree-known for wearing lots of jewelry and furs-would be great to collaborate with.
“I can’t thank him enough,” says J Nez, who has followed Safaree’s rap career for years. “He gave me the advice to just be me-instead of the ‘Lil Waynes’ and the ‘Lil Babys.’” While it is hard for an international artist to break into mainstream markets, J Nez says platforms like TikTok “open doors for us to break through.” British hip hop duo Young T and Bugsey broke into the American music scene when their “Don’t Rush” track became popular through a Tik Tok transformation challenge. He’s hoping for similar crossover success. J Nez says naming his EP “A King’s Paradise” is his way of tapping into his highest-self. Safaree Samuels “As a man I’m a king-all men are kings-and women are queens,” J Nez explains. “We should think of ourselves as kings and queens because we are all special.” Independent A&R Sterling Bell says although J Nez's project was initially released in 2019 that the project still “sounds fresh.” “It deserves to be heard by the masses and be promoted on a major scale,” says Bell. “We aren't stopping until this project is charted on Billboard.” In this next phase of promotion for “A King’s Paradise,” J Nez and his team will focus on reaching new fans all over the country. Singles like “Island Pretty,” “Closest,” and “Nah Complain” also appear on J Nez’s EP, currently available on streaming platforms. J NEZ I 5